In a country where ordinary people are struggling to afford a single meal, a government that pours Rs 3 lakh crore into its armed forces is bound to test the patience of its citizens. Pakistan finds itself at exactly this flashpoint. Amid hunger, bankruptcy and soaring prices, the Shehbaz Sharif government has used its new budget to lavish money on defence rather than offer relief — a decision that has thrown fresh fuel onto an already burning nation.
A Budget That Rewards the Army, Burdens the People
Presented in the National Assembly, the budget raises defence spending for 2026-27 by roughly 18 percent, pushing it to Rs 3 lakh crore in Pakistani rupees. Last year the figure stood at Rs 2.595 lakh crore, which means an increase of Rs 405 billion this time. This defence allocation makes up nearly 15% of the country's total budget — a clear sign that the government is feeding its military by cutting into the people's plate.
Where Every Rupee Is Going
Break down the budget presented by Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb and it becomes clear why such a heavy tax load is being placed on citizens. According to the budget documents, the lion's share goes straight to the armed forces.
- Pakistan Army: Rs 1.284 lakh crore has been earmarked for the land forces, up from Rs 1.184 lakh crore last year.
- Pakistan Air Force: The air force gets Rs 573 billion.
- Pakistan Navy: The navy has been allotted Rs 293 billion.
On top of this, Rs 822 billion has been set aside for military pensions, compared with Rs 742 billion last year. Salaries and allowances for soldiers will take Rs 967 billion, while military operations get a hefty Rs 743 billion. The most striking part is that even after dragging the country into this state, the budget for development work has been almost entirely squeezed out.
An Economy Riding on Donkeys
While so much is being spent on weapons, the state of the economy is such that the government is reduced to selling donkeys to save face. In the 'Economic Survey 2025-26' tabled by the government, the 'export of donkey meat and hides' has been listed as a major avenue to steady the falling economy. The report says the country's donkey population has grown to 62 lakh, and Islamabad now hopes to sell them to China to shore up its sinking finances.
From POK and Balochistan to Islamabad
The question now echoing on the streets is simple: how can weapons be a government's priority when its own people are starving for every paisa? The unrest over electricity, flour and freedom that has raged for months in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) and Balochistan has now reached the capital itself. The moment the finance minister began his budget speech inside parliament, opposition lawmakers erupted in fierce uproar and sloganeering.
Anger Spills Onto the Streets
Outside parliament too, the situation turned volatile. Thousands of ordinary citizens, government employees and the poor poured onto the streets of Islamabad. Driven by the crisis in the Middle East, petrol and diesel prices in Pakistan have already jumped by more than 40%, and the inflation rate has crossed 10%. Protesters allege that the government is loading them with heavy taxes to meet the conditions of its IMF loan, yet all that money is being squandered on the military and weapons instead of development.
